EU warned ‘illegal’ asylum laws will face court challenge

HUMAN rights organisations, including Amnesty International, are warning EU Justice Ministers against agreeing new rules on asylum seekers that will breach of international law.

The organisations expect any such laws to be challenged in the courts and have pledged to support such challenges.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell will chair a meeting in Luxembourg today where ministers will try to agree a set of minimum standards that will apply to all member states in relation to refugees. The meeting could go into tomorrow in an effort to meet the May 1 deadline for agreement.